It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows

SECTION 1. Section 17-18-11 of the General Laws in Chapter 17-18 entitled "Elective Meetings" is hereby amended to read as follows:

17-18-11. Time of closing of polls. -- Elective meetings in all cities and towns shall be continuously kept open for voting until 9 p.m., provided that any qualified voter who is within the building in which the elective meeting is being conducted and is waiting in line to vote at 9 p.m. shall be entitled to cast his or her vote. When all persons so entitled to vote shall have been afforded a reasonable opportunity to do so, the polls shall be closed {ADD provided further that the city council of the city of Pawtucket shall have the authority, solely in local elections, to close the polls one (1) hour earlier than set forth in this section ADD}.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.